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Deanna E. Hickman

Trial Court · Arapahoe · Arapahoe

Meets Standards(Retain)2 cycles on record

Evaluation history

  • 1996 retention cycle
    Trial Court · Arapahoe · Arapahoe
    Meets Standards(Retain)
    VotersRetained· 63.1% yes
    100,054 yes · 58,397 no50% needed to retain
    Retention Year: 1996 Recommendation: Retain Judge Hickman received her undergraduate degree from Vasser and her law degree from Columbia University. She was appointed to the bench in 1987 after a career as a civil litigator with a large law firm in Denver. She spent most of the last four years handling criminal cases. Judge Hickman was not viewed favorably by a large portion of the attorneys responding to the survey; 37.3% of the responding attorneys recommended that Judge Hickman not be retained. Judge Hickman was viewed unfavorably primarily because of her demeanor. She was seen as discourteous to attorney and litigants, especially criminal defendants. Her sense of fairness, justice and compassion was questioned. Judge Hickman disputes some of these allegations but recognizes their importance. She has indicated a willingness to address them. At the same time, Judge Hickman received high marks for her knowledge of the law, the clarity of her decisions, her courtroom control and her work ethic. In light of these strengths and her willingness to address the concerns regarding her demeanor, a majority of the Commission recommends that Judge Deanna E. Hickman BE RETAINED.
  • 1990 retention cycle
    Trial Court · Arapahoe · Arapahoe
    Meets Standards(Retain)
    VotersRetained· 66.4% yes
    68,164 yes · 34,557 no50% needed to retain
    Retention Year: 1990 Recommendation: Retain Judicial Performance Commission’s recommendation: Should Be Retained. Judge Hickman was admitted to practice in New York in 1974 and Colorado in 1977. She is a graduate of Vassar College, with a degree in psychology, and Columbia University Law School. While in law school, she worked with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. Before being appointed to the bench on Nov. 13, 1987, Hickman held several positions with law firms in New York and Denver, and spent time as chief of the trials unit of the Colorado Attorney General’s staff. She is currently serving in the civil division of the Arapahoe County District Court. Most responses indicated Hickman is bright, competent, courteous and overall an excellent judge. Some concern was expressed over her docket control.

Surveys & reports

No survey reports on record for this judge.

Sources